Are you next in line for redundancy?

Are you next in line for redundancy?

Some of the warning signs that you may be at risk in the next round of cutbacks:

- interesting or important projects are given to your colleagues
- your last performance review was only “so-so”
- you’re not being kept in the communication loop.

If any of these apply to you, don’t ignore the warning signs. Here are some ways you can act to safeguard your job – or to help you prepare for an unexpected job search.

Improve your communication across all company departments
When times get tough, an understandable reaction is to get on with your own work, and keep your line manager happy. But this is also the right time to understand how other departments work. Learning what their concerns are, and how they impact on your projects gives you a better understanding of how the whole business operates. But just as importantly, having friends in other places might also help you get your work completed more efficiently or smoothly.

Of course, if you’re looking for a sideways move in the company, understanding what the role entails – as well as knowing some of the key players in the department – is essential.

Pay attention to who your company is hiring
What skills, qualifications, or technical know-how are currently required for your role, or for roles you’d like in the future? What sort of people has your company recently taken on? This might indicate current or future strategy, showing you where the areas of expansion are. But it also shows you what type of person the company thinks is essential for its survival. Are people being brought in to innovate, consolidate, cut costs, or streamline processes?

If you believe that it’s not just you, but your skills that are being made redundant, start addressing the problem. Search out free online tutorials, buy a book, or ask someone to show you how things work, but don’t let yourself be overtaken.

Ramp up your experience
Volunteer for projects. Make it clear why you want to be involved (e.g. the chance to learn something new, or work on something innovative) and why you should be considered (how your experience or skills are relevant / useful.)

Look for ways to make a difference
If you come across a more cost / time-effective way of doing part of your job, let others know. As paradoxical as it might seem, demonstrating that you can do your work in less the time allocated does not equate to you talking your way out of your own job. But it does demonstrate your value as an employee in boosting productivity or streamlining processes.

Listen to Seth Godin’s interview “Are you indispensable?” on this Guardian podcast for further inspiration.

Broadcast your achievements
Keep a note of what you accomplish during your work. Your successes help to strengthen your CV and demonstrate your employability. If you keep an ongoing file of how you’ve solved work-related problems, you have a greater choice of “stories” when it comes to writing your next CV and answering interview questions.

Photo credit: dicktay2000